Camber nonsense

[TheWaterman83]

Take this as a lesson from me and avoid making the same mistakes...

Just did Bilstein 5100's with a 2" level in the front and Rough Country UCA's on my 2019 Rebel. I took it to the local Mavis ("big box" store) around the corner from my office out of convenience for the recommended alignment. I got a call:

"Truck is aligned. But you need to take it for camber. We don't do that here."

I arrived and basically told them that I'm not paying them, because now I need to take it to another shop and pay $150 for them to do it proper. The eventually gave in and gave me the keys.

The other shop is somewhat off-road/truck specialized. They laughed when I told them and said they had never heard of a shop not doing caster/camber as part of the normal alignment. He said a lot of shops will **** people over because they can't find the camber specs and/or don't know how to adjust it.

 

[Pikeman_66]

Take this as a lesson from me and avoid making the same mistakes...

Just did Bilstein 5100's with a 2" level in the front and Rough Country UCA's on my 2019 Rebel. I took it to the local Mavis ("big box" store) around the corner from my office out of convenience for the recommended alignment. I got a call:

"Truck is aligned. But you need to take it for camber. We don't do that here."

I arrived and basically told them that I'm not paying them, because now I need to take it to another shop and pay $150 for them to do it proper. The eventually gave in and gave me the keys.

The other shop is somewhat off-road/truck specialized. They laughed when I told them and said they had never heard of a shop not doing caster/camber as part of the normal alignment. He said a lot of shops will **** people over because they can't find the camber specs and/or don't know how to adjust it.

this is weird, I have never been to a shop that didn't do Caster/Camber toe in/ toe out at the minimum. you did right refuseing to pay them in my opinion.

 

[TheWaterman83]

this is weird, I have never been to a shop that didn't do Caster/Camber toe in/ toe out at the minimum. you did right refuseing to pay them in my opinion.

I have a client who owns an autobody shop that said the same thing. When I told him what they said about not doing the camber, his response was "Then they didn't align it...don't pay them."

 

[CHeYeNNe71]

I usually use dealership anymore for alignments because of this. I had a shop claim they got my lifted Grand Cherokee close, but couldn't get right. Dealership got it right the first time with no issues.

 

[kapinallinen2]

I kinda miss working at my first real job, every Saturday was an "employee day"
We had full use of the dealership facilities, from wash bay to electrical, body shop, oil change, alignment. The supplies were at cost.
I was pretty wet behind the ears back then but the senior techs were more than happy to give guidance and snarky comments.

 

[BowDown]

Take this as a lesson from me and avoid making the same mistakes...

Just did Bilstein 5100's with a 2" level in the front and Rough Country UCA's on my 2019 Rebel. I took it to the local Mavis ("big box" store) around the corner from my office out of convenience for the recommended alignment. I got a call:

"Truck is aligned. But you need to take it for camber. We don't do that here."

I arrived and basically told them that I'm not paying them, because now I need to take it to another shop and pay $150 for them to do it proper. The eventually gave in and gave me the keys.

The other shop is somewhat off-road/truck specialized. They laughed when I told them and said they had never heard of a shop not doing caster/camber as part of the normal alignment. He said a lot of shops will **** people over because they can't find the camber specs and/or don't know how to adjust it.

They couldn't turn adjust 2 eccentric bolts? Wow

 

[Rick3478]

They couldn't turn adjust 2 eccentric bolts? Wow

That would require bigger tools, more work, and measuring with something more complicated than a piece of string.

 

[Darksteel165]

That would require bigger tools, more work, and measuring with something more complicated than a piece of string.

So it would involve them actually doing the job the customer is paying for?

 

[Rick3478]

So it would involve them actually doing the job the customer is paying for?

Eventually. Sounds like they may be a couple stages away from that. Might have to start as far back as hiring people with enough brain cells to understand what "alignment" means. Some of the "mechanics" out there aren't very bright. I discovered pretty early on that I'm a better mechanic than most of the people I have to trust to work on my vehicles. Took one car with a sagging door to be fixed, and they were talking about cutting and welding on the hinges. I had to stop them and ask "aren't the bushings replaceable?". There was a blank look on their faces for a bit, then one of them says "I'll check on that". They were, and they did, and that was all it needed. Duh! Don't know what would have happened without my help.

 

[Darksteel165]

Eventually. Sounds like they may be a couple stages away from that. Might have to start as far back as hiring people with enough brain cells to understand what "alignment" means. Some of the "mechanics" out there aren't very bright. I discovered pretty early on that I'm a better mechanic than most of the people I have to trust to work on my vehicles. Took one car with a sagging door to be fixed, and they were talking about cutting and welding on the hinges. I had to stop them and ask "aren't the bushings replaceable?". There was a blank look on their faces for a bit, then one of them says "I'll check on that". They were, and they did, and that was all it needed. Duh! Don't know what would have happened without my help.

Stuff like that is why I do my own Auto work now.
The 2 last straws was asking a dealership to remove the old adhesive of weights on oem painted alloy wheels after getting snows put on and then removing the clwrcoat because of whatever they sprayed stating "we didn't know they were painted aluminum rim" and the next trucks first oil change getting charged for a free oil change at 500 miles and them putting in the wrong weight oil (both numbers were wrong) which yes is on the cap.

I now invest in my own tools and do a lot of research and it takes more time which sucks, but I know the job is done right and no shenanigans happens.

I used to have a great mechanic shop about 30 minutes away but turns out they were a major drug trafficking shops and got shut down by the FBI. Their prices were fair and the work good, even fixing stuff from other shops. I guess they paid real mechanics good money to do the right work and sold drugs after hours from the owners or whatever, pretty crazy.

My last mechanic after that has heart problems and can't really work on anything and he can't work on high tech things as he didn't grow with the times. (but he is honest about it)

Sad times we live in.

 

[TheWaterman83]

I usually use dealership anymore for alignments because of this. I had a shop claim they got my lifted Grand Cherokee close, but couldn't get right. Dealership got it right the first time with no issues.

The second shop I took it to, didn't do it right either. It's close but I can see it's off. I am taking it to the place I should have gone with in the first place. It's actually called "The Wheel Alignment Place." Most of the work he does is alignment but he does brakes, suspension, etc if it's within his time constraints. The only problem is he books a week out. He did my father's truck for him after he did his level and was the only guy to get it right.

First one was shame on me, taking it to Mavis. Second one was shame on them because it was supposed to be a good shop. Now hopefully third times a charm.

 

[TheWaterman83]

Stuff like that is why I do my own Auto work now.
The 2 last straws was asking a dealership to remove the old adhesive of weights on oem painted alloy wheels after getting snows put on and then removing the clwrcoat because of whatever they sprayed stating "we didn't know they were painted aluminum rim" and the next trucks first oil change getting charged for a free oil change at 500 miles and them putting in the wrong weight oil (both numbers were wrong) which yes is on the cap.

I now invest in my own tools and do a lot of research and it takes more time which sucks, but I know the job is done right and no shenanigans happens.

I used to have a great mechanic shop about 30 minutes away but turns out they were a major drug trafficking shops and got shut down by the FBI. Their prices were fair and the work good, even fixing stuff from other shops. I guess they paid real mechanics good money to do the right work and sold drugs after hours from the owners or whatever, pretty crazy.

My last mechanic after that has heart problems and can't really work on anything and he can't work on high tech things as he didn't grow with the times. (but he is honest about it)

Sad times we live in.

I'm 40 and basically grew up with a wrench in my hand. Started at 10 helping my father with lawn equipment, tractors, cars, had a dirt bike, etc. No one will ever put as much care into your vehicle as you will. The only exception is I have a buddy who does classic car restoration and they are on that level (different market).

You will do good by doing what your doing. The nice thing now is there are videos/write-ups online everywhere for anything halfway mainstream. The only tasks I don't do anymore are 1) things I don't have the tools for like alignment, computer flashes, 2) things beyond the scope of my abilities (internal engine work, valves, etc.) and 3) stuff that's under warranty. It's going to the dealer in a week for the exhaust manifold replacement. I'll gladly pay my $200 deductible for that.

I am fortunate to have a father that has a garage with a lift. We've pulled motors, trans, done clutches, restored cars, etc. I am blessed to have been brought up that way.

 

[TheWaterman83]

Just an update, while the truck was in the dealer for the exhaust manifold I had them align it. It was STILL out from the prior shop. I kind of saw it was.

Mavis - Did basically nothing.
Private Shop - Only fixed, essentially, general alignment.
Dealer - Got it all right. Toe-in was off.

Like Cheyenne said, it's probably better to just have the dealer do it. $150 vs. $99 with a private shop is likely money well spent.